STUDENTS SEE REAL-LIFE ILLS

9th-graders devote grant to aid kids exposed to abuse

studying literature, art and philosophy — a group of students at High Tech High Media Arts examined real-life societal problems and got an opportunity to make a small difference.

Since November, about 50 ninth-graders at the Point Loma campus have been researching various issues, ultimately focusing on domestic violence and child abuse, as part of a project called Philanthropy 101.

Last week, the students announced they had selected the San Diego-based National Family Justice Center Alliance to receive $5,000 to help fund Camp HOPE, a summer program for children exposed to violence, abuse and neglect.

The grant money was provided by the nonprofit San Diego Foundation, which developed the Philanthropy 101 curriculum. This is the second year the foundation has offered the program to a few schools around the county.

“We’re excited about the fact that Camp HOPE could actually transform a child’s life,” said Kush Kakaiya, 15, at a ceremony Thursday marking the end of the project.

He said later that he and his classmates learned through their research that these problems, domestic violence in particular, aren’t as isolated as some might have believed.

“We saw that it’s so prevalent in our community,” said Kakaiya, who was dressed for the occasion in a crisp white shirt and jaunty bow tie. “(The project) inspires me to do more.”

In fact, the students were so motivated that they raised an additional $560 to donate to Camp HOPE.

Taylor McClintic, 15, who made a video about domestic violence with classmates Michelle Douglas, 16, and Kayla Murphy, 14, said she was shocked by some of the things she learned. The video is packed with statistical information but also shows stark images of adults and children portraying victims.

“I never really thought about men being abused,” Taylor said.

Over several months, the students researched local nonprofits, reviewed grant proposals, went on site visits and deliberated until they made their choices.

Their teacher, Tania Jabour, said the experience tapped into deep emotions at times. When a San Diego State University nursing student spoke to the youngsters about her own experiences in a violent relationship, two ninth-graders were so moved they had to leave the room.

“It got really deep,” Jabour said.

Because the students worked in two independent groups, the teacher said it was surprising when both chose the same organization to receive the funding. But it was also a decision she said made sense.

“They were really specific about wanting that money to go directly to kids,” Jabour said.

Casey Gwinn, president of the National Family Justice Center Alliance, said the grant will allow two groups of local youngsters to attend camp in Northern California this August. For many, he said, it will be the first time they’ve ever left the county.

“This money will change the destinies of 15 children that weren’t going to get to go to camp this year,” Gwinn said.